Mississippi State vs. Auburn

When: 6 p.m. CDTWhere: Jordan-Hare StadiumTV: ESPN2Line: Auburn by 6

This game will determine...

If Auburn has what it takes to snap a 10-game losing streak in the SEC. The Tigers have steadily improved from the spring to preseason camp, and from Week 1 to Week 2, but the jump into an SEC game against Mississippi State, history has shown, will provide a much more physically-challenging game. A win is a big step in the right direction for Auburn's turnaround.

Three things to look for

1. The running backs. Tre Mason, Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant continue to share carries and provide the Tigers versatility in the backfield, but one of them needs to take over between the tackles. Grant is a good outside threat, so relying on Mason and Artis-Payne to get something going against MSU's defensive line could prove big.

2. Defensive line. The Tigers' defensive front finally got something going in the pass rush, accounting for 22 quarterback hurries and 13 tackles for loss (8 1/2 by linemen) against Arkansas State last week. Tyler Russell was comfortable in the pocket in the Tigers' 28-10 loss last season, and a good push up front is needed to frustrate the quarterback.

3. Turnovers. Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall threw the first two touchdown passes of his career against Arkansas State, but he also committed his first turnover when he failed to hold onto the ball with two hands on a sack attempt. The fumble did not prove costly, but he made the mistake in the Tigers' red zone and SEC teams will make him pay for that mistake next time. Marshall must continue to protect the football -- and so must his receivers and running backs -- if they want to knock off an MSU team that led the SEC in turnover margin last season.

Key matchup

Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall against Mississippi State's linebackers. Benardrick McKinney is an All-SEC type player at middle linebacker, and Deontae Skinner has led the team in tackles in each of the first two games. Skinner also has an interception.